I just finished an exciting four-year term
on the OSB Board of Governors representing
Region 1. The region, which
takes in nearly the entire eastern two-thirds
of Oregon, is filled with wonderful
attorneys from varying backgrounds and
interests. It is sometimes thought of as
the “Red” part of the state, while the remaining
one-third is thought of as “Blue.”
If only compartmentalizing people, especially
lawyers, were so easy. It certainly
isn’t justified.

Before I joined the Board of Governors,
I was cautioned by a number of
well-meaning lawyers that my time on the
board would be fraught with difficulties,
a real uphill climb. It would be necessary
for me to be on my guard, to present the
minority view. But, I wondered, what was
that view?

What I’ve come to learn is that there
are more common thoughts, concerns and
issues of importance between the east side
and the west side of our professional organization
than most people would like to
admit. Perpetuating the myth of the differences
seems to be of some importance
to a number of people. Isn’t it easier to
dismiss a thought or a position by simply
saying, “Oh, that’s just a Portlander’s
view,” or a “Willamette Valley idea,” than
to take the time to hear what’s being said
and see if it really fits into what your own
views might be? How many times is something
brushed aside because “it’s a rural,
country-boy response.” East vs. West, Rural
vs. Urban, Sun vs. Rain.

Of course, over the last four years
there were unintended slights that would
crop up every now and then. Once, a
presentation was made at a board retreat
wherein the presenter portrayed rural attorneys
in an unflattering manner. It was
an unfortunate slip of character for this
attorney, an insensitive and unnecessary
depiction, one I should have called him
on, but did not. What it meant to me was
that continuing the myth of this Grand
Canyon divide between rural and urban
lawyers was important to some and meaningless
to others. And yet, for some, it can
rise to the surface without a conscious intent.
We must guard against this divisive
attitude in our own actions.

All of the members of the Oregon
State Bar have passed through the gauntlet
of admission to the profession. We’ve
earned our stripes. The mission of the bar
applies equally to all of us. “The mission
of the Oregon State Bar is to serve justice
by promoting respect for the rule of law,
by improving the quality of legal services
and by increasing access to justice.” (Oregon
State Bar Bylaws, Article 1, Section
1.2.) Focusing on respect for the rule of
law should not be a divisive proposition.

During my tenure on the board, different
views arose as to how to “promote
respect for the rule of law.” These differences
did not arise because it was an East
view versus a West view. They arose because
of the different backgrounds and experiences
each of us brought to the table.
We each expressed our views openly and
without reservation. Each was met with
respect and consideration. Decisions are
made by the vote of the majority on the
board, and I was often not a part of the
majority. But in the end, respect for the
rule of law was observed. In unison, we
moved forward.

I have also learned that the quality of
legal services can be high on both sides of
our state. That quality occurs when it is
backed by an attitude of professionalism.
My personal observation of professionalism
tells me that it simply depends on the
character of the individual you are working
with, not on where he or she practices
law. In a recent case I represented
the plaintiff in a property damage matter.
Two “Western Oregon” attorneys from
different firms represented the two defendants.
One attorney was professional and
courteous to work with, while the other
one walked the fine line between misrepresentation
and withholding information.
One earned my respect, the other
did not. I doubt that the second attorney
is concerned about my view because it is
unlikely we will be on opposite sides of another
case anytime soon, if ever. However,
in less populated areas, attorneys are likely
to run into each other again and again in
different contexts, and as a result there is
less likely to be unprofessional or discourteous
actions as it can make life very difficult
down the road.

My time on the Board of Governors
was challenging, enlightening and wonderful.
I’ve made friendships that I believe
will last a lifetime. The view from this side
of my rose-colored glasses now is one of
hope for less divisive attitudes. I hope for a
future in which Oregon lawyers don’t begin
their communication with other lawyers
by categorizing them as Red or Blue,
East or West, Rural or Urban. It’s a bad
position from which to begin… anything.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carol DeHaven Skerjanec is a sole
practitioner in Vale. She served on the OSB
Board of Governors from 2005 to 2008.